Have you ever gone on an extended mission’s trip to a third world country? How long before you start to miss American food, the smell of a well-marinated hamburger on the grill, the taste of a creamy milkshake to wash it down? It’s strange, but after awhile, even the lowest of all American culinary delights—fast food—starts to sound appealing. Or what if you were the next contestant on Survivor, forced to eat only coconut parts and whatever sea creature you could spear with a carefully whittled stick? How long would be too long? How much would be too much? Losing comforts and conveniences is one thing; losing a vital part of your life, purpose, or identity is quite another. But even that is still not quite the picture. Our subject isn’t loss; it’s the voluntary laying down of things that have become central to our existence.

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Imagine the scene. Coming down from Abinidab’s house on the road towards Jerusalem, thirty thousand men of Israel escorting the ark of God in a joyful procession. Banners and streamers are everywhere. Singers are lifting their voices; musicians of all kinds are playing their instruments; and dancers and twirlers are rejoicing before the Lord with all their might. Parents and children, servants and people of influence, all look on with joy and excitement as the house of Israel worships the Lord at the coming of the ark of God. David, the newly established King of Israel, is leading the procession in worship, ushering the ark back into the center of Israelite culture and consciousness.

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Our churches are experts at so many wonderful things. We know how to program services and create experiences that draw people in. We understand worship teams and volunteer management like never before. We’ve designed all kinds of children’s services and youth outreaches. We’re proficient at raising money and building new worship centers. We have experts in church growth and city reaching. We have specialists in ‘boomers’, ‘busters’, ‘gen-xers’ ‘millenials’ and whatever generation next is.

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